Column: Springtime in Rome is more than a season

ROME >> As I arrived here for the historic “@2popesaints” (as Twitter would have it) celebration, the skies above Rome could not have been clearer. The sun itself seemed to have a renewed Easter glory with almost a merciful shine, providing a translucent vision for all, while not leaving much to shadows. And yet, as it does, night fell. Walking above the Tiber, rats lined my path. Above the dome of St. Peter’s, bats circled.

Perhaps Pope Francis was looking out the window as he prepared his sermon for Easter Friday morning Mass here. He talked about the danger Christians can fall into when they do not nourish their faith in genuine encounter with Jesus Christ in the sacraments and in lives lived loving people with honesty and selflessness and vulnerability. The Passion and death of Christ, he said -- and the burdens and challenges and difficulties and evils in life -- can make us fearful and keep us in darkness, not living in or sharing the light of hope that marks Easter and Christianity itself.

Pope Francis diagnosed the problem as “a Christian’s disease.” He said: “We’re afraid of joy. It’s better to think: Yes, yes, God exists, but He is there. Jesus has risen and He is there. Somewhat distant. We’re afraid of being close to Jesus because this gives us joy.” We are unsettled and challenged by joy. And so in our fear, we hide. He described those who “prefer sadness to joy. They move about better in the shadows, not in the light of joy, like those animals who only come out at night, not in the light of day, who can’t see anything. Like bats.”

The reason for the millions gathering here for Divine Mercy Sunday is the “doubleheader” canonization celebration of long-reigning pontiff John Paul II, estimated to have seen more people in person than anyone in human history, and John XXIII, perhaps best known for having convened the Second Vatican Council. They are being recognized as saints, an acknowledgment of holy lives that demonstrated heroic virtue. This isn’t like winning an Emmy -- it’s not a matter of dinners and plaques or awards, but a celebration of what the Christian life is. It’s not just popes called to holiness, but every woman or man who professes to be Christian.

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The breaking news, it would seem, in canvassing some of the media commentary on this historic event, is that neither man was perfect. Bingo!, as we say in Catholic culture. Pope Francis celebrates these two men because they knew themselves to be sinners. Who else but a sinner needs a Savior? This is what it means to be Christian! The Christian uses his God-given free will to choose to surrender to this deeper, eternal reality. It’s a challenging, radically countercultural existence. It’s not easy and it’s not always lived. And the Church exists to help along the way, so that all who are part of the Church family grow in holiness by encountering Christ in the sacraments and prayer and service.

In a series of messages on commercial radio during Holy Week and Easter, Catholic Voices USA, a group I work with, and New York’s Cardinal Timothy Dolan invited people to join us. The Gospels tell us to be missionaries in the world, to serve women and men and to do so with joy. And so two of the messages began with Mother Agnes Donovan from the Sisters of Life naming some of the apostolate serving mothers and families (Visitation Mission), the elderly (The Little Sisters of the Poor), young people and culture, to name a few. This is the life of the Church. And it’s filled with compelling stories of redemption and transformation.

Stories that might prompt the exclamation “Alleluia!”

Alleluia!

It can seem the spontaneous refrain here. On the streets, I’ve seen pilgrims just break out in song. It’s the word of the Easter season -- off-limits during the penitential season of Lent, now belted in gratitude. Added to the Mass’ end during this Easter octave is a double “Alleluia!” to the standard closing “Thanks be to God!” Even the sun over Rome seems to be as bright as the Gospel of renewal preached in the Risen One who is their reason for being here. Christians believe our deepest identity is a Savior who rose from the dead and defeated sin. If you believe this, surely it’s something to be happy about!

As I write, it’s happening again. There are people singing “Alleluia!” outside my window. It’s the word. It’s the story. It’s the focus. And as I’m overwhelmed walking the crowded streets, like the tender illumination caused by the sun when it’s not relentless, these people are a light you want in your world. Not because they will wake you up to their songs, but they will fill families, communities and workplaces with love.

About the Author

Kathryn Jean Lopez, is an American conservative columnist who is nationally syndicated by the United Feature Syndicate. She is also the former editor and current editor-at-large of National Review Online.